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2010 SESSION

10101037D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 98
Offered January 13, 2010
Prefiled January 13, 2010
Continuing the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Creating a Regional Rapid Transit Network for Connecting Existing and Emerging Population Centers in Major Transportation Corridors. Report.
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Patrons-- Barker, Colgan and Puller
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, Senate Joint Resolution No. 122 (2008) established the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Creating a Regional Rapid Transit Network for Connecting Existing and Emerging Population Centers in Major Transportation Corridors; and

WHEREAS, at the subcommittee's request, Senate Joint Resolution No. 357 (2009) continued the study in order to enable it to develop legislative and other recommendations leading to the creation of a regional rapid transit network connecting existing and emerging population centers in major transportation corridors; and

WHEREAS, at its concluding meeting of the 2009 interim, the joint subcommittee agreed to the following findings and recommendations for the transportation and business communities:

1. Promote incentives for transit use, such as employer-financed fare payments;

2. Encourage transportation demand management, including telework and flex-time;

3. Have the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation work with local governments, transportation commissions, and existing transit systems to develop coordination among local and regional transit systems;

4. Move to implement technology incentives for transit use, such as real-time information and WiFi capability on transit;

5. Provide incentives/requirements for investments for pedestrians, bicyclists, sluggers, park-and-riders, and others to increase transit use and decrease reliance on single occupancy vehicles;

6. Oppose extension of the "sunset" on use of hybrid vehicles on I-95, I-395, and I-66 during HOV hours;

7. Urge the federal government to consider transit capacity and highway limitations in future BRAC decisions; and

8. In extension of HOT lanes on I-95 and I-395, include a requirement that public funds be used to provide mass transit support; and

WHEREAS, the joint subcommittee determined that it is advisable to continue the study for one additional year, primarily to assess and, as necessary, react to the impact of these recommendations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Creating a Regional Rapid Transit Network for Connecting Existing and Emerging Population Centers in Major Transportation Corridors be continued. The joint subcommittee shall have a total membership of 10 members that shall consist of four members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and six members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates. The current members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules shall continue to serve until replaced. The current members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates shall be subject to reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled by the original appointing authority. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership.

Administrative staff support shall continue to be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the Senate. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall continue to be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2010 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $10,000 without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk.

No recommendation of the joint subcommittee shall be adopted if a majority of the Senate members or a majority of the House members appointed to the joint subcommittee (i) vote against the recommendation and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the joint subcommittee.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2010, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2010 interim.